In the chaotic days following Hurricane Maria, researchers at
one of the most famous scientific instruments in the world used a simple, short-wave
radio to communicate.

Reports from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico said
that the staff was safe, but the telescope had sustained damage from the 150
mile-per-hour winds, and the surrounding community was devastated by wind
damage and flooding.

Like areas hit by Hurricane Harvey and Irma, Puerto Rico and
its surrounding areas are now in urgent need of assistance and will be faced
with the difficult task of rebuilding for years to come.

The West Virginia University
community, having witnessed devastating flooding in the state more than a year
ago, has mobilized efforts to provide support and resources for those now
working to repair the damage in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

WVU and NANOGrav are long-time partners with Arecibo Observatory.
Scientists from both institutions have spent time working at the telescope and
have built close relationships with people in the surrounding communities.

Many of Arecibo’s 100 employees have lost their homes and
are sheltering at the observatory, which is serving as a FEMA emergency center.

However, the situation in Puerto Rico remains critical. The
area has been ravaged, and residents are desperate for basic needs such as
food, water, diesel fuel and medical supplies. Power and utilities are not
expected to be available for months and the observatory’s supplies are limited.

The WVU Alumni
Association regularly communicated with chapters in the hurricanes’
paths to provide support. When Hurricane Harvey hit, members of the Lone Star-Houston
Alumni Chapter kept in constant communication with their members to assess
safety and damages.

They contacted approximately 250 members before and during
the storm through as many channels as possible to ensure they were safe or help
with evacuation. Following the storm, they sent messages to more than 1,350
email addresses.

The chapter also deployed volunteers for relief efforts,
collected supplies and set up meal delivery plans for those who had been
displaced.

Additionally, Heather Dishman, the Houston chapter lead,
shared best practices with Florida chapters as they prepared for Hurricane
Irma.

When Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences alumna
and Houston native Mollie Kish lost nearly everything in the subsequent flooding.
Despite that, she chose to spend the following days and weeks aboard a small
boat transporting neighbors to safe ground, and rescued more than 50 people,
pets and wildlife.

After Hurricane Irma, the Statler Staff Advisory Committee
began another relief effort that is continuing in support of both Irma and
Maria under the Dollars for
Disaster initiative.

The committee will be collecting donations during their next
monthly hot dog sale on October 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the
Engineering Sciences Building.

The College of Physical
Activity and Sport Sciences donated multiple boxes of clothing to
relief efforts in Puerto Rico with shipping costs funded by the college’s
faculty, staff and family members. The efforts were also made possible with the
assistance of the Book Exchange and Qdoba.